Signing off

And that brings us to the end of Thursday’s live news updates. Thanks for following!

Brett Gibbons will be with you again in the morning for more of the latest around Birmingham and the West Midlands before I return in the afternoon. Until then, enjoy your evening.

Good night!

18:56KEY EVENT

NEWS: Today's top stories - Recap

That’s almost it for Thursday. Just time for another look at our headlines today:

Rapist jailed for life - A husband has been jailed for life after he and his wife killed a vulnerable young Walsall woman before hiding her body under a bed after a sexually motivated attack. Full story here

Ozzy in Birmingham for tram-naming ceremony - Heavy metal hero Ozzy Osborne was greeted by hundreds of fans as he returned home to Birmingham this morning to have a new Midland Metro tram named in his honour. Look back on updates here

Pregnant woman mugged in Moseley - A heavily-pregnant woman was attacked by two men in a vicious mugging in Moseley. Full story here

Crash victim’s daughter: ‘Mummy saved my life’ - A five-year-old girl saved from being crushed by a lorry by her heroic mum who sacrificed herself, has said: “Mummy saved my life.” Full story here

18:53Darren Campbell

TRAVEL: The end in sight on the M6?

No change on the M42 at the moment, but it is finally starting to look better on the M6:

M6 northbound J6 - Traffic looks to have returned to normal here after that broken down vehicle at Spaghetti Junction was removed.

M6 northbound J8-9 - Still one lane blocked by the broken down car here with delays back to junction 7, but it is now the only remaining breakdown on the M6 at present.

M5 northbound J2-M6 J8 - Those issues on the M6 have been slowing things down on the M5 too, but the queues here appear to be getting shorter and are now only back to around Oldbury rather than Halesowen.

A45 Coventry Road eastbound - Good news here too, where we hear all lanes have been reopened and traffic has returned to normal past Birmingham Airport after that earlier accident involving a car and a transporter.

B4121 Shenley Lane - And the same here, where the accident at Weoley Castle Road appears to have gone.

18:47Darren Campbell

WEATHER: Bank Holiday weekend - Day-by-day forecast

Making plans for the Bank Holiday weekend ahead? Then you might want to check out what the weather has in store...

It’s the so-called ‘Spring bank holiday’ coming up this weekend, but will the weather be living up to the name?

Well according to the Met Office, the picture looks promising if you’re out and about this weekend, with prospects of plenty of warm sunshine.

But you might still want to keep your brolly handy - as there could be the occasional shower.

TRAVEL: It's spreading to other motorways now...

M42 northbound J4-5 - I’m afraid it’s not just the M6 anymore. There are now two lanes blocked on the M42 between the junctions for Dorridge and Solihull because of... yep, you guessed it, a broken down vehicle.

M6 northbound J6 - One positive thing to report is that the broken down vehicle at Spaghetti Junction has now gone, but obviously there is another one further up at junction 8 which is causing delays back to junction 7, so I’m afraid you’re not past it yet if you’re on this stretch!

18:35Darren Campbell

TRAVEL: Just when you think you're out...

For a minute I was about to say relief is in sight for drivers on the M6. However...

M6 northbound J10-10A - We’ll start with the good news. The broken down van which was blocking a lane near Wolverhampton has finally been removed. But...

M6 northbound J8-9 - The bad news is that there is ANOTHER broken down vehicle blocking a lane between the junctions for the M5 and Wednesbury.

M6 northbound J6 - Before you even get that far however, there is still a broken down vehicle at Spaghetti Junction to get past, though there is now only one lane shut here after one was reopened.

18:30Darren Campbell

NEWS: Bin lorry driver delivers baby in Asda car park

Asda way to do it! (Sorry. Really sorry...)

A bin lorry driver turned midwife to deliver his baby daughter in a supermarket car park.

TRAVEL: Are you on the M6 northbound? Oh dear...

Oh dear. The northbound M6 is not looking good through the Midlands right now. Here’s the latest on that and other roads around the Midlands as we pass 6pm:

M6 northbound J6 - Two lanes out of five are currently blocked at Spaghetti Junction due to a broken down vehicle which is causing delays back to around junction 5 at Castle Bromwich.

M6 northbound J10-10A - Even when you get past that previous incident, the broken down van approaching the M54 is still blocking a lane and causing congestion way back to junction 7 at Great Barr.

M5 northbound J3-M6 J8 - That breakdown is also still causing delays on the northbound M5 from around Halesowen.

M5 northbound J5-4A - Not a great picture anywhere on the northbound M5 in the region at the moment, as those roadworks approaching the M42 junction are also slowing things down further back along the carriageway.

A45 Coventry Road eastbound - No updates here as yet, where one lane has been blocked near Birmingham Airport due to an accident involving a car transporter and a lorry.

B4100 Constitution Hill westbound - Hearing that traffic has finally returned to normal after that earlier accident which blocked the B4100 for a time this afternoon.

B4121 Shenley Lane - Still partially blocked in Weoley Castle at the roundabout for Weoley Castle Road after an accident earlier.

Stay with us for more travel updates throughout the evening

18:10Darren Campbell

NEWS: Children of mum who planned Syria move set to live 'with relatives'

Three children whose British Muslim mother has been jailed after planning a move to an area of Syria controlled by Islamic State are to live with relatives pending decisions about their long-term future, a High Court judge has been told.

Lorna Moore, 34, of Walsall, West Midlands, was given a two-and-a-half-year jail term earlier this week following a trial at the Old Bailey.

Lorna Moore

Lawyers representing social services bosses at Walsall Council, which has responsibility for the children’s welfare, outlined plans for the youngsters at a private hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

They told Mr Justice Keehan that the youngsters would live with family members in the short term.

SPORT: Today's top stories

Time now for a quick look over some of the top stories in Midlands football this afternoon:

Villa manager candidate odds on for rival role - One of the prominent candidates for the Aston Villa job could be set for a move elsewhere as Nigel Pearson has been interviewed by fellow Championship side Derby County. Full story here

Albion midfielder ‘close to Portugal move’ - Portuguese newspaper O Jogo are today reporting that midfielder Sandro is on the brink of a move to Sporting Lisbon. Full story here

Is the two horse race for the Villa hotseat about to lose a horse?

New Villa owner prepared to relocate to Brum - Aston Villa’s owner-in-waiting Tony Xia is prepared to relocate to Birmingham if his planned takeover is approved in the coming days. Full story here

Blues must prove bookies wrong on promotion - Birmingham City’s renaissance has not been recognised by a leading firm of bookmakers who regard Blues as the third least likely team to win next season’s Championship. Full story here

17:51Darren Campbell

TRAVEL: M6 breakdown causing long tailbacks

M6 northbound J10-10A - The broken down van which is blocking a lane between Wolverhampton and the M54 is now causing delays for quite some way back down the northbound carriageway, with congestion to junction 7 at Great Barr.

M5 northbound J3-M6 J8 - That breakdown is also contributing to slow traffic on the M5 from around Halesowen up to where it joins the M6 heading north.

A41 westbound - The roadworks around All Saints Way in West Bromwich are causing heavier than normal traffic on the westbound A41 this evening.

17:37Darren Campbell

TRAVEL: A breakdown on the motorway breakdowns

Things improving on the motorways at the moment after those numerous broken down vehicles this afternoon - here’s the latest:

M42 northbound J3-3A - Traffic has finally returned to normal here in the aftermath of that broken down vehicle which was blocking a lane about two hours ago.

M6 northbound J6-7 - Good news here too, where all lanes have been reopened and traffic seems to be running normally again after the breakdown on this stretch.

M6 northbound J10-10A - Still one lane blocked between Wolverhampton and the junction for the M54 due to the broken down van here.

Stay with us for more travel updates throughout the evening

17:26Darren Campbell

NEWS: Yardley bus driver saves kids from plunge after bridge collapses into river

A bridge collapsing underneath you would be a pretty terrifying prospect at any time - but even more when you’re driving a bus full of schoolkids...

A hero bus driver from Birmingham saved 11 children from plunging into a river when a 220-year-old bridge dramatically collapsed as he took them home from school.

Derek Trow and the bridge that collapsed

Former Rover worker Derek Trow’s wheels were on the bridge seconds before tonnes of bricks crumbled during the school run.

He slammed his bus into reverse gear – stopping his 11 young passengers falling around 20ft into the river below.

TRAVEL: Second breakdown on M6

M6 northbound J10-10A - Another issue to report on the M6: There’s another broken down vehicle, this time a van, which is blocking a lane between the junctions for Wolverhampton and the M54.

A452 Chester Road - The temporary traffic lights around the roadworks in Boldmere Road in Wylde Green are causing the usual ongoing delays.

17:05

TRAVEL: Ready for the rush hour...

Hey everyone, look - it’s 5pm! If you’re just getting ready to set off home, here’s how the roads are looking for your journey:

M6 northbound J6-7 - There’s one lane blocked between Spaghetti Junction and Great Barr where a vehicle has broken down.

M42 northbound J3-3A - Still slow traffic here after a lane was blocked earlier due to another broken down vehicle.

M5 northbound J5-4A - Ongoing delays here due to those roadworks near the M42 junction.

B4100 Constitution Hill - Hearing traffic is also still slow here after that accident earlier near the University Of Law. Bus services which were diverted have returned to normal in the last hour:

A45 Coventry Road eastbound - One lane remains blocked here due to that accident involving a car transporter and a lorry near Catherine De Barnes Lane, so be prepared for queues if you’re heading to the M42.

B4121 Shenley Lane - There’s been an accident which is partially blocking the roundabout at Weoley Castle Road.

TRAVEL: Latest on M42 and A45

M42 northbound J3-3A - All lanes have been reopened on the M42 between the junctions for Redditch and the M40 after that earlier breakdown, though traffic is still slow in the area.

A45 Coventry Road eastbound - Hearing this accident involves a car transporter and a lorry. One lane remains blocked at Catherine De Barnes Lane heading towards the M42 with queues back to around Damson Parkway.

Stay with us for more travel updates throughout the evening

16:25Darren Campbell

TRAVEL: Lane blocked on A45

A45 Coventry Road eastbound - More details on the reported accident on the A45 near Birmingham Airport: One lane is blocked at Catherine De Barnes Lane, affecting traffic heading towards junction 6 of the M42. There is congestion reported back to Damson Parkway.

16:13Darren Campbell

TRAVEL: Road reopened in Jewellery Quarter, reports of A45 accident

Some more traffic updates to bring you now:

B4100 Constitution Hill westbound - The vehicle involved in this accident has now been moved off the main carriageway and the road has been cleared, but traffic is still slow in the aftermath. There could also yet be a further obstruction when recovery for the vehicle arrives.

A45 Coventry Road eastbound - Hearing reports of an accident which is causing slow traffic on the eastbound A45 at Catherine De Barnes Lane, just south of Birmingham Airport. More details when we have them.

Stay with us for more travel updates throughout the evening

16:06KEY EVENT

NEWS: Ozzy Osbourne returns to Brum as tram named in his honour

One of our top stories from earlier today which many of you were following: Heavy metal hero Ozzy Osbourne was greeted by hundreds of fans as he returned home to Birmingham this morning.

The Black Sabbath frontman headed to Corporation Street in the city centre to have a new Midland Metro tram named in his honour.

The arrival of Crazy Train singer Ozzy comes as final testing continues before the opening of the tram extension from Bull Street to New Street station in the city centre.

TRAVEL: Jewellery Quarter accident - One side of road reopened

B4100 Constitution Hill westbound - Another update on this accident: The eastbound side of the road heading into Birmingham is now open, but the outbound/westbound side heading towards the A41 remains blocked at Hall Street for the time being.

15:44

TRAVEL: Jewellery Quarter accident - Buses being diverted

B4100 Constitution Hill, both directions - Quick additional update on that accident which is blocking the B4100 in the Jewellery Quarter: Bus services in the area are currently being diverted away from the scene.

National Express West Midlands services 74 and 75 are both diverted via Hockley Island, New John Street, Summer Lane and onto Old Snow Hill before continuing their normal line of route.

Services 16 and 46 are also now following this diversion.

15:40Darren Campbell

TRAVEL: Road blocked in Jewellery Quarter

A few traffic updates to bring you this afternoon, starting in Birmingham city centre:

B4100 Constitution Hill, both directions - The B4100 is currently blocked both ways around Hall Street, in the Jewellery Quarter, due to an accident not far from the University of Law.

M42 northbound J3-3A - One lane is currently blocked between the junctions for Redditfch and the M40 due to a broken down vehicle.

M5 northbound J5-4A - We’ve got the usual delays here this afternoon through the roadworks approaching the junction for the M42.

Stay with us for more travel updates throughout the evening

15:35KEY EVENT

NEWS: Lorry crash victim's daughter says 'Mummy saved my life'

A five-year-old girl saved from being crushed by a lorry by her heroic mum who sacrificed herself, has said: “Mummy saved my life.”

Rachael Martin, 29, leapt in front of a car transporter last Friday morning when her daughter Keira shot out into the road on a scooter.

Brave Rachael Martin, 29, was killed when she ran into a road and pushed her five-year-old child to safety

The brave mum shoved Keira out of the way, but was killed when she was dragged under the 7.5-ton truck’s wheels.

Keira suffered serious pelvic injuries and was airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital after the crash on Western Road, Stratford-upon-Avon.

NEWS: Today's top stories

In case you’ve missed any of our top stories today, let’s bring you up-to-date with Thursday’s headlines:

Rapist jailed for life - A husband has been jailed for life after he and his wife killed a vulnerable young Walsall woman before hiding her body under a bed after a sexually motivated attack. Full story here

Crash victim’s daughter: ‘Mummy saved my life’ - A five-year-old girl saved from being crushed by a lorry by her heroic mum who sacrificed herself, has said: “Mummy saved my life.” Full story here

Pregnant woman mugged in Moseley - A heavily-pregnant woman was attacked by two men in a vicious mugging in Moseley. Full story here

Ozzy in Birmingham for tram-naming ceremony - Heavy metal hero Ozzy Osborne was greeted by hundreds of fans as he returned home to Birmingham this morning to have a new Midland Metro tram named in his honour. Look back on updates here

15:15Darren Campbell

Good afternoon

Hello folks. Apologies for the break in our live coverage today. Darren Campbell here to resume updates on the latest news, sport and travel around Birmingham and the West Midlands this afternoon.

I’ll be bringing you a quick roundup of today’s headlines in just a few minutes.

13:39Brett Gibbons

TRAFFIC: Overnight closures in city centre

Some forthcoming overnight road closures in Birmingham city centre are set to cause disruption for drivers.